Improvement in processes for restoring writing or printing on charred paper



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES V. Z. BLANEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES FOR RESTORING WRITING UR PRINTING 0N CHARREIJPAPER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,321, datedNpgrember 28, 1871.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES V. Z. BLANEY, of Ohicago,0ook county, State ofIllinois, have invented a new and useful Process for Rendering LegiblePrinted and Written Matter upon Paper which has been wholly or partiallycharred by fire.

The charred paper is to be first separated into single leaves, and thenimmersed in a solution of a soluble compound of silver or copper forsuch a time as may be required to render the printing or writingsufficiently legible; A solution of the nitrate of silver containingforty (40) grains of that salt to one fluid ounce of distilled water ispreferred. If the restoration. is only required to be made on one sideof the sheet, the solution may be applied with a brush, or by floatingthe paper upon the surface of the liquid.

The process succeeds best in a dark or a feeblylighted room. Aftersufficient legibility has been attained the paper should be soaked forsome time in pure water to remove the excess of the salt used-in thecase of silver salts a dilute solution of hyposulphite of soda or ofcyanide of potassium may be used-after which the paper may be exposed tothe light, and, when dry, covered with a transparent mucilage or varnishfor preservation.

What I claim as my invention is- The use of the soluble compounds ofsilver and of copper for the restoration, temporarily or permanently, ofwriting or printing on paper which has been wholly or partially charredby fire, such charring having rendered such Writing or printing whollyor partially illegible.

JAS. V. Z. BLANEY.

Witnesses WM. R. PAGE, R. BIDDLE ROBERTS. (35)

